With the backing of blue chip clients, key photographers and legions of admirers, today's top tier male models are at the forefront of fashion. The era of the male supermodel is upon us and the movers and shakers of the moment are proving themselves every bit as essential as their female counterparts. From the daily call sheets of photographers like Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, Mert and Marcus, Bruce Weber and Steven Klein, to ads for megabrands like Prada, Burberry, Calvin Klein and Versace, male models are making their presence felt.

The pages of style bibles like Vogue Hommes, AnotherMan, GQ, Details and Fantastic Man are filled with striking faces, but campaigns are still the standard by which all are judged. Finding the perfect balance between edgy editorials and coveted contracts is what makes stars, but holding the interest of major brands over a length of time solidifies careers. In a competitive market flooded with hundreds, the guys who matter are the ones who bring something extra to the table.

Consequently here are the defining faces of the moment, MODELS.com's Top 50 Working Male Models listing.